Because the taxes went to improve services in Howard County and increase our quality of life, while the increase in gas prices went to companies who get massive corporate welfare (which our federal taxes pay for) who are making massive profits sell a commodity most Americans do not have a choice to buy if they want to get to work. If you cannot understand the difference between the community pooling its money through government taxes to improve itself thus get services through working together that it would cost more to pay for individually and corporations who sell goods at massive profits while paying Washington politicians to get them tax cuts, then I worry about your judgment and understanding of the effects of government action on citizens.